If you're throwing a party, you need at least one cold dip on your table. Cold dips can be made 1-3 days in advance and pulled right out of the fridge last minute. What could be better than that?
The cold dip recipes I included below are all unique in some way and best of all, super easy to throw together and can be made days in advance for any birthday party or holiday celebration.
Best Layered Taco Dip
Set out this beautifully SEVEN layered cold taco dip and your guests will be in awe. It is easy to layer, quick, and will feed a large group of at least 10 people! Pair it with my chicken taquitos, veggie empanadas and pitcher of margaritas for the perfect tex-mex meal.
⌛Total Time: 15 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- refried beans (1st layer on bottom)
- guacamole
- sour cream
- cream cheese
- taco seasoning packet
- cheddar cheese
- scallions
- Roma tomatoes
- black olives
The BEST Cold Spinach Dip
A good cold spinach dip is a must at any party. Serve it in a bread bowl and let your guests devour it! This one is a staple at all parties and can be served with many cold dippers like veggies or crackers.
⌛Total Time: 7 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Cream Cheese
- Frozen Chopped Spinach
- Sour Cream
- Tomatoes
- Scallions
- Onion Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Powder
- Saltv& Pepper
Cold Pretzel Dip
This beer cheese hard pretzel dip is the perfect dip to serve before the big game or while tailgating with ice cold beer. It's easy to throw together and pairs perfectly with the saltiness of pretzels.
⌛Total Time: 5 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- cheddar cheese
- cream cheese
- light beer
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dijon mustard
- garlic powder
- green onions
Red Pepper Hummus
A deliciously flavorful twist on your classic hummus, this bright orange dip is the perfect creamy dip to pair with bread, pita or crackers! Make it GF by serving with veggies!
⌛Total Time: 40 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Garbanzo beans
- Red peppers
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh lemon juice
- Tahini paste
- White pepper
Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip
If you love sour cream and onion dip, THIS one will become a new favorite. Serve with your classic rigged potato chips, your guests will be in dip heaven.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- olive oil
- bacon
- onion
- sour cream
- chives
- cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper
Grandma's Shrimp Dip
This cold dip is quick and delicious. Allowing it to chill overight or a few hours before the party will help the flavors to develop creating a sinfully deliciously creamy shrimp dip!
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes (+ chill time)
🛒Ingredients:
- cream cheese
- sour cream
- onion
- celery salt
- tabasco sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- mayonnaise
- cooked shrimp
Cold Chili Cheese Dip
Greek yogurt is mixed with mayo, veggies and cheeses for a creamy cheesy dip. The heat from green chilies and chili powder is subtle but noticeable making it a uniquely tasty dip.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Greek yogurt
- mayonnaise
- green bell pepper
- diced tomatoes
- diced green chilies
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- cheddar cheese
- green onion
Easy Garlic and Herb Veggie Dip
Creamy mayo and tangy sour cream is mixed with multiple herbs and spices to make this dip quick, easy but not lacking in flavor! Pair it with veggies, crackers, or bread, and serve chilled and you will have everyone in dip heaven.
⌛Total Time: 5 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- dried parsley
- dried chives
- dried tarragon
- dried dill weed
- garlic powder
- paprika
- dried minced onion
Crab Dip
This is an impressive dip that is best served in the warmer months because it's cold. It is a delicious combination of cocktail sauce and creamy cheese which pairs incredibly well with fresh crab meat. Butter crackers are really the only dipper I recommend.
⌛Total Time: 5 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- cream cheese
- mayonnaise
- Worcestershire
- cocktail sauce
- crab meat
- crackers
Greek Garlicky Potato Dip
This dip is a delicious vegan friendly dip that can also be made without bread. It is packed with garlic flavor and best served with grilled pita or naan bread. A popular Greek appetizer that can be served cold or hot.
⌛Total Time: 23 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- russet potatoes
- garlic cloves
- bread
- olive oil
- shallot
- chives
- lemon juice
- salt
- parsley
Easy Edamame Dip
A delicious twist on the classic hummus, this hummus has a delicious green colr and unique Asian flavor using soy, hoisin and ginger! Serve with chilled veggies for the perfect match.
⌛Total Time: 15 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- frozen shelled edamame
- lemon juice
- soy sauce
- hoisin sauce
- ginger
- garlic
- salt
- extra virgin olive oil
Greek Roasted Eggplant Garlic Dip
This is my favorite vegan dip that has been in the family for years! Also a Greek dip, it's healthy, light and couldn't be easier to puree. Just add everything in the food processor, chill and serve cold!
⌛Total Time: 1 hr 40 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Eggplant
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Cloves
- Lemon Juice
- Fresh Parsley
- Salt and Pepper
Cold Taco Dip with Cottage Cheese
If you don't want a heavy cream cheese dip, this lighter, healthier taco dip is the best option for your guests. I bet guests wouldn't even be able to tasre the cottage cheese!
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- cottage cheese
- taco seasoning
- Mexican cheese blend
- iceberg lettuce
- roma tomatoes
- scallion
Olive Oil Bread Dip (with Fresh Herbs)
This healthy Italian inspired olive oil dip is and has always been one of my favorite party appetizers. It's fresh, flavorful and would be perfect to serve at your next wine tasting party! A fresh baguette is a must! It's best not cold but at room temperature.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Parsley
- Fresh Thyme
- Fresh Chives
- Fresh Rosemary
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt & Freshly Cracked Pepper
Classic Bruschetta Appetizer
Bruchetta is a must when entertaining. This recipe is simple but used quality ingredients like fresh heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and quality olive oil. Fresh is best when tomatoes are in season.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Heirloom Tomatoes
- Basil
- Olive Oil
- White Wine Vinegar
- Crackers or bread
Olive Tapenade
If you love umami flavors and salty dips, this cold olive tapenade is for you! Serve with veggies, pita or bread, it's always a unique appetizer best served with wine.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- pitted, brine-cured olives
- anchovy paste
- capers
- parsley
- garlic
- lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- olive oil
Spicy Feta Cheese Spread
A go-to Greek favorite. This feta dip is salty and little spicy from the peppers. The combination is so delicious and one that guests ask me about whenever I entertain.
⌛Total Time: 10 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Feta Cheese
- Jarred HOT Banana Peppers
- Red Pepper Flakes
- garlic
Restaurant Style Salsa
Chips and salsa are always a hit. Skip the store-bought version this time and make your own! It's surprisingly easy and couldn't be tastier! Serve cold or at room temperature!
⌛Total Time: 7 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- whole tomatoes with juice
- cilantro fresh
- onion
- jalapeño
- lime juice
- garlic
- cumin
- salt
White Cannellini Bean Dip with Garlic
This dip is BETTER than hummus. I used white beans and NO tahini so it's easy, simple and is packed with garlicky spicy flavors. I love how unique it is and how it get's better when chilled in the fridge for a few days.
⌛Total Time: 15 minutes
🛒Ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Cannellini White Beans
- Salt
- Lemon Juice
- Fresh parsley
Have you checked out these 14 Quick and Easy Appetizers?
Tips To Serving Cold Dips
As you can see, your cold dip options can still be delicious! With or without dairy, vegetarian to GF, it is easy to please everyone's tastes while still satisfying all food restrictions!
I recommend making all of these dips at least a few HOURS in advance to allow all of the flavors to meld together. You can even make it the night before and let it chill in the fridge for the best results! Happy dipping!
Looking for more party recipes or tips? Check these posts out!
Easy Crock Pot Party Appetizers
Graduation Party Food Ideas and Set Up
Tips For Keeping Food Warm At Your Next Party
COLD finger foods you can MAKE AHEAD!
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Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!